As a YouTube creator, one of the biggest challenges is finding the right music to accompany your videos. Music can elevate the quality of your content, setting the mood and keeping viewers engaged. However, using popular songs can lead to copyright strikes and monetize issues. The solution? Royalty-free music! In this post, we’ll explore some of the best royalty-free music sites that YouTube creators can use to enhance their videos legally. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned content creator, these sites will have you covered.
1. Epidemic Sound: A Popular Choice for Creators
Epidemic Sound is one of the most well-known royalty-free music sites for YouTube creators. It offers a vast library of high-quality music tracks and sound effects, perfect for various video genres. With a subscription, you get unlimited access to their collection, including thousands of tracks that you can use without worrying about copyright issues. Epidemic Sound’s music is regularly updated, giving you fresh options for every new video. Many top YouTubers trust this platform due to its user-friendly interface and a wide range of music styles, from upbeat pop to cinematic soundtracks.
Additionally, Epidemic Sound provides a license that covers not only YouTube but also other platforms like Facebook and Instagram, making it a versatile choice for creators who publish across multiple channels. They offer a free trial, so you can explore their music library before committing to a subscription.
2. Artlist: Perfect for High-Quality Soundtracks
Artlist is another excellent choice for YouTube creators who are looking for high-quality, royalty-free music. Known for its impressive collection of cinematic soundtracks and background music, Artlist provides tracks that add a professional touch to your videos. This site offers both music and sound effects, which can help enhance your videos’ production value.
The subscription to Artlist allows you to use the music on various platforms, including YouTube, social media, and even in commercial projects. What makes Artlist stand out is its straightforward licensing model, where you pay once for the subscription and get access to the music forever. This eliminates any worries about renewing your license for each new project. The ease of use and seamless integration with editing software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere make it a go-to for many creators.
3. YouTube Audio Library: Free Music at Your Fingertips
For YouTube creators on a budget, the YouTube Audio Library is an excellent option. As the name suggests, this platform is directly integrated with YouTube, providing an extensive collection of free music tracks and sound effects. You can filter the library by genre, mood, instrument, and duration to find the perfect soundtrack for your video.
While the music in the YouTube Audio Library is free to use, some tracks may require attribution. It’s important to check the licensing terms before using a track. The YouTube Audio Library is a great starting point for creators who need reliable and cost-effective music without the hassle of navigating multiple licensing agreements.
4. SoundCloud: A Treasure Trove of Indie Music
SoundCloud is often seen as a platform for independent musicians to share their work. While the site itself isn’t strictly a royalty-free music service, many artists on SoundCloud offer tracks that are free to use with proper attribution. Some tracks are even available under a Creative Commons license, which allows you to use the music for free in your YouTube videos.
Finding royalty-free music on SoundCloud is a bit more time-consuming compared to other platforms, but it’s well worth the effort. If you’re looking for unique, indie tracks that can give your videos a distinct sound, SoundCloud is a great place to explore. Keep in mind that you should always check the licensing before using a track to ensure you’re following the rules.
5. PremiumBeat: A Curated Library of Music
PremiumBeat is a high-quality royalty-free music platform that caters specifically to video creators, filmmakers, and content creators. The site offers a curated collection of tracks across various genres and moods, ensuring that you can always find the right music for your project. PremiumBeat’s search feature makes it easy to find tracks by genre, mood, or instrument, saving you time when you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack.
One of the standout features of PremiumBeat is its lifetime license. When you purchase a track, you can use it in as many projects as you want, without any additional fees. The website also offers a subscription plan that allows you to access a wide range of tracks with a single monthly or annual fee. PremiumBeat’s collection is perfect for creators looking for professional- sounding music to match the high production values of their content.
6. Bensound: Free and Affordable Music for All Creators
Bensound is another fantastic site for royalty-free music, especially for YouTube creators who need music on a budget. Bensound offers a collection of tracks across various genres, including acoustic, electronic, cinematic, and more. Many of the tracks are free to use with attribution, making it an excellent resource for creators who want high-quality music without breaking the bank.
For those who prefer to skip attribution, Bensound offers affordable premium licenses that allow you to use the tracks without giving credit. This flexibility makes Bensound a great option for creators working on different types of content, from YouTube videos to corporate presentations. With its easy-to-navigate interface, Bensound ensures that finding the perfect music is quick and straightforward.
7. AudioJungle: A Diverse Collection of Royalty-Free Music
AudioJungle is one of the largest royalty-free music sites, with a massive library of music tracks and sound effects. It offers an extensive range of genres, from ambient and classical to electronic and rock, ensuring there’s something for every creator’s needs. AudioJungle allows creators to purchase individual tracks with a one-time fee, meaning you don’t have to commit to a subscription.
AudioJungle’s pricing is transparent, with options for different types of licenses depending on how you plan to use the music. Whether you’re making a YouTube video or creating a podcast, AudioJungle provides high-quality music that can be used across multiple platforms. The platform also offers an easy- to-use search feature, which helps you find the perfect track quickly.
8. Jamendo: Discover Independent Artists and Free Music
Jamendo is a unique platform that focuses on independent artists and their music. The site offers a large collection of royalty-free music under Creative Commons licenses, making it a great place to discover new and unique tracks for your YouTube videos. The platform’s easy-to-use interface allows you to filter music by genre, mood, or instrument, making it simple to find the perfect match for your content.
For creators looking to support independent musicians, Jamendo is an excellent choice. Many tracks are available for free, but you can also purchase licenses for commercial use. The diversity of genres and the ability to find fresh, undiscovered talent make Jamendo a standout option for those looking to add something special to their videos.
Conclusion
Finding the right music for your YouTube videos is crucial to creating engaging and high-quality content. The royalty-free music sites mentioned above offer a wide variety of tracks, sound effects, and licensing options to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for free music or professional-grade soundtracks, these platforms provide easy access to music that can elevate your videos without worrying about copyright issues. Start exploring these resources today, and take your YouTube channel to the next level with the perfect soundtrack.